Day trip from Prague on a spring Saturday

[Huntergreed]

I am in Prague this coming Saturday (12/04) - I would like to do a trip on one of the special trains that operate in the Prague area on a Saturday.

I need to be at the airport for 15:00 - is anyone aware of any good itineraries/trips I could do where I could get a special train out (even if this is just part of the way) and catch a normal train back to Prague to arrive at the airport?

 

[Segedunum]

You could ride the Cyklohračék up to Slaný and then all the way back into Prague for just after 12:30. Compositions below:

vagonWEB » Řazení vlaků » 2025 » ČD Os » Os 9784 Cyklohráček

www.vagonweb.cz

vagonWEB » Řazení vlaků » 2025 » ČD Os » Os 9785 Cyklohráček

www.vagonweb.cz

 

[Cowley]

You could ride the Cyklohračék up to Slaný and then all the way back into Prague for just after 12:30. Compositions below:

vagonWEB » Řazení vlaků » 2025 » ČD Os » Os 9784 Cyklohráček

www.vagonweb.cz

vagonWEB » Řazení vlaků » 2025 » ČD Os » Os 9785 Cyklohráček

www.vagonweb.cz

Could I just ask what makes the train special please?

I’m thinking about visiting myself in June.

 

[Segedunum]

Could I just ask what makes the train special please?

I’m thinking about visiting myself in June.

There are basically several 'leisure'-type services run by Česke Drahy (some also by KŽC) which are loco hauled with various carriages/trailers. The one I've linked, as 'Cyklo' in the name suggests, is aimed at people taking their bikes into the countryside for the day.

This one is hauled by a 714 which is fairly rare in passenger use and the little Btax trailers it has on the back are becoming rarer by the day (though you can still find a fair few in the Czech Republic and even more in Hungary).

However unlike in other countries, normal fares apply (Interrail does as well on the Česke Drahy services) so they're a cheap way to get more unusual haulage.

 

[30907]

Without checking timetables, you could also do the (KZC) Rakovnik returning direct to Veleslavin, or Cercany returning via the mIn line, or part way on the Blatna, back by ordinary train.

 

[class387]

I would do the KZC trip to Rakovnik at 0905, it's hauled by a classic diesel and quite scenic, then there's a return train from there to Veleslavin for the airport bus that returns there for 1236.

 

[Cowley]

There are basically several 'leisure'-type services run by Česke Drahy (some also by KŽC) which are loco hauled with various carriages/trailers. The one I've linked, as 'Cyklo' in the name suggests, is aimed at people taking their bikes into the countryside for the day.

This one is hauled by a 714 which is fairly rare in passenger use and the little Btax trailers it has on the back are becoming rarer by the day (though you can still find a fair few in the Czech Republic and even more in Hungary).

However unlike in other countries, normal fares apply (Interrail does as well on the Česke Drahy services) so they're a cheap way to get more unusual haulage.

That’s great, thank you.

I may be back for more information!

 

[alistairlees]

Yesterday (Sunday 6th April) I travelled on a few of these, they also run on Saturdays. I'd recommend the 08.59 Praha hl. n. to Mikulasovice:
- 2 ancient compartment coaches, windows can slide down
- one of them has a buffet of sorts, serving snacks and drinks, including hand pulled beer (from one pump)
- not very busy (at lease on Sunday just gone)
- a very clean / shiny venerable diesel on the front

You can get as far as Ceska Lipa, then get back to Praha hl. n. in time to get metro / bus for your flight - but check for bus replacement, there's a lot at the moment.

You could go only as far as Mlada Boleslav, then go back to Praha hl. n. on a diesel railcar, and then make the 12.38 Praha hl. n. to Praha Zlicin (arrive 13.16). From there you could get bus 100 to the airport (you should be there by about 14.00). The 12.38 from Praha hl. n. is a vintage single car railcar - it will be packed with families. It's a lovely journey up the hill after Praha Smichov, but the train is likely to be delayed by the need to do multiple reversals at Smichov (which is being dug up at the moment); it was about 15 minutes late on Sunday.

All a world away from modern units!

 

[43096]

I am in Prague this coming Saturday (12/04) - I would like to do a trip on one of the special trains that operate in the Prague area on a Saturday.

I need to be at the airport for 15:00 - is anyone aware of any good itineraries/trips I could do where I could get a special train out (even if this is just part of the way) and catch a normal train back to Prague to arrive at the airport?

I'm not sure if you are aware of the Czech (and increasingly other countries) "spreadsheets" that give diagrams and allocations? It's an excellent resource for anyone wanting "gen". Link is https://sledovani.55p.cz/cz.html

In particular these sheets might be useful:

TS 723 - 726: 754 SS Praha-Vršovice

Sledování oběhů lokomotiv

sledovani.55p.cz

Turistické linky

Sledování oběhů lokomotiv

sledovani.55p.cz

Once the dates at the left give a link it will open a page listing the workings and, where known, the locos/units allocated are shown. You'll get a good idea by clicking on the 05/04 dates as to what is running.

 

[SeanG]

I would second the Grumpy working to Rakovnik, did it last summer and it was well worth the trip. At Rakovnik you are free to wander wherever you like so long as you are sensible and platform is at ground level. Last time we went some enthusiasts were in the cab for the run round

 

[Whisky Papa]

...
You could go only as far as Mlada Boleslav, then go back to Praha hl. n. on a diesel railcar, and then make the 12.38 Praha hl. n. to Praha Zlicin (arrive 13.16). From there you could get bus 100 to the airport (you should be there by about 14.00). The 12.38 from Praha hl. n. is a vintage single car railcar - it will be packed with families. It's a lovely journey up the hill after Praha Smichov, but the train is likely to be delayed by the need to do multiple reversals at Smichov (which is being dug up at the moment); it was about 15 minutes late on Sunday.

All a world away from modern units!

In case any readers are not aware, the 100 bus to the airport departs from the bus station at Zličín metro station, not Praha-Zličín railway station. The latter is in fact some distance away, close to Sídliště Řepy tram terminus - Google Maps suggests a 32 minute walk between the two. The 180 bus links them (every 15 mins on Saturday afternoons).

As an alternative, alighting the train at Praha-Jinonice (request stop) would still cover the climb and reverse curves but leave only a short (but admittedly uphill) walk to Jinonice metro station for the onward journey to the terminus at Zličín and 100 bus.

 

[AdamWW]

In case any readers are not aware, the 100 bus to the airport departs from the bus station at Zličín metro station, not Praha-Zličín railway station.

I made that mistake - thought I could catch the metro to Zličín then the next train back to Prague. And indeed I did, thanks to a bit of quick Googling, a bus leaving just in time and sprinting to the station at the other end.

As an alternative, alighting the train at Praha-Jinonice (request stop) would still cover the climb and reverse curves but leave only a short (but admittedly uphill) walk to Jinonice metro station for the onward journey to the terminus at Zličín and 100 bus.

Just make sure you press the button on the train to request the stop. (Yep, made that mistake too...)

 

[Segedunum]

Just make sure you press the button on the train to request the stop. (Yep, made that mistake too...)

I've witnessed the inverse - where a driver sailed past an old lady at one of the tiny halts on that line with her shopping bags after she either signalled too late or he didn't see her. Brakes slammed on and he did the walk of shame a few hundred yards down the track, guided her up the track and lifted her shopping on, with many apologies.

Also fallen victim to not realising the distance between the two Zličín stations on a cold January night...

 

[AdamWW]

I've witnessed the inverse - where a driver sailed past an old lady at one of the tiny halts on that line with her shopping bags after she either signalled too late or he didn't see her. Brakes slammed on and he did the walk of shame a few hundred yards down the track, guided her up the track and lifted her shopping on, with many apologies.

That made me smile.

Imagine that happening here!

Also fallen victim to not realising the distance between the two Zličín stations on a cold January night...

Warm summer evening for me...